Work begins on the Dunard Centre
Work is now underway on the Dunard Centre, a new 1,000-seater concert hall in the heart of Edinburgh.
The demolition of a disused 1960s office building at 36 St Andrew Square, being carried out by Sir Robert McAlpine, will unlock the site for the new hall. Clearance works are expected to be completed in late-2023, following which construction of the Dunard Centre will begin in earnest.
Designed by David Chipperfield Architects along with Nagata Acoustics, the Dunard Centre will provide a new home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a principal venue for the Edinburgh International Festival, as well as hosting life performances by artists and ensembles from all music genres.
The Dunard Centre is being funded through a combination of philanthropic donations from the Dunard Fund and other donors and grant funding from the UK Government, Scottish Government, and City of Edinburgh Council. The Royal Bank of Scotland is providing a ground lease on the land on which the hall will sit.
“I am delighted to help mark this significant step forward for the first new concert hall in Edinburgh in over a century. Set in a most sustainable and accessible location, it adds a world-class cultural offer to the major regeneration of this area of the city centre. As well as reinforcing Edinburgh’s position as the Festival City and attracting top international performers, I particularly value the Dunard Centre’s commitment to community outreach, promoting inclusion, enabling the participation of people from all backgrounds and building an audience that reflects the true, diverse nature of society."
- Councillor Cammy Day, Leader, City of Edinburgh Council